Freight transportation system



Sept. 13, 1966 J. w. DEMPSTER E AL 50 FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Original Filed June 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY?) Sept. 13, 1966 w, P T R ET AL 3,272,150

FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Original Filed June 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 j M M F ATTORNEY Sept 13, 1966 J. w. DEMPSTER ET AL 3,272,150

FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Original Filed June 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 14 5..., M f gal;

ATTORNEY5 Sept. 13, 1966 J. w. DEMPSTER ET AL 3,

FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed June 5, 1963 INVENTORS JflMEs [4 DEMPS 7H,

5721 5 c. rook/a556,

BY M M M M 4 M x ma W 11 ATTORNEYS p 1966 .1. w. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,

FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 5, 1963 I NVENTORS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,272,150 FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM James W. Dempster and Steven C. Voorhees, Knoxville,

Tenn., assignors to Dempster Brothers, Inc., Knoxville,

Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Continuation of application Ser. No. 285,037, June 3,

1963. This application Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 483,015 6 Claims. (Cl. 105-366) This application is a continuation of our former application t'iled June 3, 1963, Serial No. 285,087.

This invention relates to improvements in freight transportation systems of the character adapted for use particularly for handling detachable containers on railway cars, road vehicles and the like and which containers are loaded from the side of such cars or vehicles. It is adapted for use especially with the type of equipment set forth in our prior application, Serial No. 255,481, filed February 1, 1963, now \Patent No. 3,175,718 granted March 30, 1965.

In loading separate or detachable containers on railway cars, it is desirable that such containers be mounted securely and held in supported positions on the cars without being subjected to shock in the movement of the cars over the tracks and in the stopping and starting thereof. Various types of shock absorbing mechanisms have been proposed heretofore for incorporation in a railway car to relieve the supported lading from the effect of shocks being imparted thereto during stopping and starting and movement of the cars. Some of the devices for this purpose have incorporated shock absorbing means in the drawbars or draft gear so as to absorb the shock and substantially prevent damage to the load from impacts in handling and moving the cars. Other types of equipment for this purpose have incorporated shock absorbing means between the mounting of the load and the frame of the car or truck. Either type of shock absorbing means may be used with this invention.

In the containerization of lading, it has been found that containers can be shifted onto and off a railway car or truck from the side at an appreciable saving in time and with less shifting of the car by loading or unloading from the side. As we have set forth in the patent application refer-red to above, such side loading and unloading can be accomplished expeditiously by and between a road vehicle and a railway car by the mechanism there set forth.

One object of this invention is to receive and support or hold a container on a transport vehicle such as a railway car or truck while allowing for the absorbing of shock in the transport vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to improve the bolster supporting members that hold and support the container in transport position on the vehicle while allowing for side loading and unloading thereof with respect to the vehicle.

Still another object of the invention is to improve the construction of the hold-down means which retains the container in supported position on the vehicle and confines it in place While allowing for relative endwise displacement between the vehicle and the hold-down means in absorbing shock, if such shock absorbing means be incorporated in the vehicle construction, and which holddown means may be removed at either side to permit the container to be moved lengthwise of the bolsters out and off the ends thereof.

These objects may be accomplished, according to certain embodiments of the invention, by providing bolsters that will be disposed transversely of the frame structure of the vehicle in such relation as will enable a container to be shifted onto and off of supported relation therewith sidewise relative to the vehicle, but which will afford ice secure support for the container in transport position on the vehicle when it is in place. The bolster construction according to this invention is extremely simple and inexpensive to build, but sturdy for holding securely and effectively the container in its transport position.

lEach container preferably is supported between a pair of bolsters spaced apart so as to support the container at its opposite ends. Where several containers are used on a single car or vehicle, intermediate bolsters may be made of double form so .as to support respective containers at opposite sides thereof. The mounting of the bolsters on the car will accommodate for shock absorbing characteristics that may be included in the car structure, as have been well known heretofore.

Provision should be made at one or both opposite ends of each bolster for holding the adjacent portion of the container securely seated upon the bolster against danger of shifting out of place during transportation. Such a hold-down device preferably is locked and has an interengagement with the adjacent portion of the container to secure the container in place. In the event that the vehicle includes shock absorbing means to avoid the trans mission to the load of shock or impact, it is preferred that the connection between the hold-down means and the container avoid shearing stresses during such shock absorbing action as is made possible by the mechanism herein set forth.

These embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a railway car to which the invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross section t-herethrough, showing in elevation a portion of one of the bolster constructions and hold-down means;

FIG. 3 is a detail horizontal section therethrough, substantially on the line 3-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section through the railway car, showing the double bolster construction and hold-down means;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section through a double bolster, with one portion thereof in elevation;

FIG. 7 is a cross section through a single bolster;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a container, showing the hold-down plate or casting at the corner;

FIG. 9 is a detail cross section through the form of hold-down means illustrated in FIG. 10 and taken on the line 9-9 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation of the container hold-down device;

FIG. 11 is an edge view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation, showing a modified form of hold-down means;

FIG. 13 is a view thereof at right angles to FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation, showing a further modification thereof; and

FIG. 15 is a view at right angles thereto.

This system is adapted for transporting containers, such, for example, as those designated at 1 in FIG. 1, and which containers are of a size to be used for containing and transporting goods and lading by railway cars, trucks, etc. Two such containers are shown in FIG. 1, each of which is substantially one-half the length of a railway car. However, the number of containers employed on each car may vary, as desired. For example, one container may be used or more than one container per car, as, for example, four. The number of bolsters provided on the car for supporting the containers will depend upon the number of containers used.

Each container has sufficient and appropriate undercarriage frame structure to support the container and to provide for its shifting movement transversely onto and off the railway car or other vehicle in the manner described in the aforesaid patent application, Serial No. 255,481. The frame structure on the container usually has an undercarriage including runners to guide the movements thereof and provisions for detachable engagement of transfer mechanism as described in said patent application, as, for example, by hook station bars, generally indicated at 2 in FIG. 1, which bars 2 may be above or below the bottom edge of the container.

The railway car illustrated as one vehicle to which the invention may be applied is shown as constructed with a longitudinal center sill, generally indicated at 3, extending throughout the length of the car and having the usual wheeled trucks 4 at opposite ends of the car adapted for travel on rails of standard dimensions. The center sill 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as formed by a pair of I-beams 5 spaced apart transversely and provided with suitable cross braces 6. This construction has been used heretofore and is illustrated as an example of the vehicle structure to which this invention is applied.

Extending transversely of the center sill 3 are transverse bolsters adapted for supporting the container or containers 1. There should be supports at least at opposite ends of each container. A single bolster may support a container at one endthereof and a double bolster used for supporting adjacent ends of a pair of containers. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, a double bolster is shown at 7 supporting the inner ends of the pair of containers 1, while a single bolster 8 supports the outer end of each of these containers. These bolster constructions are described more in detail in connection with FIGS. 2 to 7.

As an example of the means used for anchoring the bolsters in place on the vehicle frame while permitting shock absorbing action between the train and the containers on relative motion to absorb shock, we have illustrated one embodiment of mounting means for this purpose. In this embodiment, a key plate is shown at 9 welded or otherwise fixed rigidly to the bottom of each bolster and extending lengthwise of the center sill 3 laterally outside of the adjacent I-beam 5. The key plate is shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 7. Each key plate 9 is provided with one or more teeth 10 on the lower edge thereof, two of which are shown in FIG. 6 and one in FIG. 7.

These teeth 10 engage in slots 11 opening into the top of a rub rail 12 which extends lengthwise of the car and may be in one or more sections, extending throughout the major portion of the length of the car or at least in the regions where the bolsters are located. The rub rail 12 is located laterally on the outside of the center sill 3 beside each of the I-beams 5, as will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4.

The rub rail 12 is supported at intervals along the length thereof by cushion mountings 13 preferably formed of soft rubber and yieldingly supporting the rub rail 12 for limited displacement lengthwise of the car relative to the adjacent sill I-beam 5. Suitable fastenings 14 and 15 secure each cushion member 13 to the rub rail 12 and I-beams 5, respectively.

A sill lock pin 16 extends through each key plate 9 at one or more points along the length thereof. This pin is in the form of a bolt that extends through the plate 9, with an elongated head portion 17 engaging under the flange of the adajcent I-beam 5. These locking pins 16 retain the bolsters in place on the center sill of the car or other vehicle and yet permit of some displacement lengthwise relative thereto.

A bearing plate 18 is secured by bolts 19 to the adjacent bolster and is seated directly upon the upper flanged edge portion of each I-beam 5, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Each double bolster 7 is constructed with a wrapper bar or base plate 20 forming the bottom of the bolster and preferably tapering upward at the opposite end portions thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. This base plate 20 extends across the center sill of the vehicle and has the bearing plates 18 secured thereto by the bolts 19. Up-

standing from the central portion of the base plate 12 is an angle plate 21. The upper edge portion is turned inward and, in a double bolster, is joined to -a like angle plate 21 as by welding at the juncture therebetween (FIG. 6), or these plates 21 may be formed of one piece, as desired.

At each lateral edge, the base plate 20 is provided with a side plate 22 extending upwardly therefrom, with its upper edge terminating appreciably below the upper edge of the angle plate 21 and having a top plate 23 seated thereon. These plates 20-23 are suitably secured rigidly together as by welding. The top plate 23 projects laterally from the angle plate 21 over the plate 22 in the form of a projecting shelf portion as a seat or support for the container 1.

Wear strips 24 are mounted on the upper surface of the top plate 23 and the container is actually seated on these wear strips. The relative positions of these parts 21 and 23 provides a shoulder at 25 along the lateral edge of the center section of the bolster as a guide for the container.

The projecting edge portion of the top plate 23 is suitably braced by a series of gussets, generally indicated at 26 (FIG. 2), and which are spaced along the length of the bolster, as indicated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. At each end of the bolster 7, is provided a double brace at 27.

To facilitate the guiding of the container onto the bolster, regardless of slight irregularities in relative positions thereof, a horizontal flare bar is shown at 28, turned downward from the top surface of the bolster and suitably braced at the end of the latter. A vertical flare bar is provided at each end of the center section, as shown at 29, closed at the top by a cap plate 30. These vertical flare bars 29 accommodate for misalignment of the container relative to the shelf provided on each side of the center section of the bolster.

The single bolster 8 shown in FIG. 7 is constructed in the same manner as the double bolster described above, except that only one of the angle plates 21 is used. The other angle plate is replaced with a fill plate 31. Otherwise, the construction is the same as described above and corresponding parts are similarly designated.

As the container is shifted onto the shelf provided by the top plate 23 or the wear strips 24 thereon, it is desirable that the container be locked securely in place against accidental displacement by being lifted or otherwise sliding out of position relative to the bolster. Consequently, provision is made for fastening the container securely at the four corners thereof, at least to the bolsters, by hold-down devices that will anchor the container thereon. At the same time, if this be used with the type of railway vehicle in which shock absorbing action is provided, it may be desirable that there be some play between the container and either the center sill 3 or the draft mechanism of the car to take up for shock caused in starting or stopping. One form of shock absorbing means is that which has been described and illustrated at 9 to 17, although other forms may be used, as desired.

The form of hold-down device shown in this embodiment of the invention is adapted for use with a container having an anchoring plate or corner casting 32 in the side thereof at each corner. The plate or casting 32 is disposed lengthwise of the container 1 and formed with an elongated slot 33 which also extends lengthwise of the container.

The hold-down device comprises a pin 34 disposed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, so as to engage in the slot 33 intermediate the ends of the slot 33 whereby relative displacement between the container 1 and the bolster will not put the pin 34 in shear. At the same time, the pin 34 engaging in the slot 33 will hold the container against appreciable rising motion relative to the bolster at each corner of the container. Such hold-down means preferably is provided at each end of each bolster.

The hold-down pin 34 is mounted in and projects laterally from a plate 35 which extends transversely of a pair of rocking arms 36. The rocking arms 36 are laterally spaced apart and of substantially U-shaped or gooseneck construction, so as to extend around and over the end of the bolster from a pivot mounting 37 beneath the latter. The pivot mounting 37 is provided by a pin that extends transversely through the arms 36 and through a stationary plate 38 fixed to the under side of each end section of the bolster.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the rocking arms 36 are spaced on opposite sides of the stationary hinge plate 38 and are connected together at their upper ends by the pin plate 35, which is welded or otherwise fixed thereto. A wrapper bar 39 extends along the inner edge of each of the rocking arms 36, projecting laterally from the opposite sides of the rocking arm, not only to brace the latter, but also to form a wide abutment for the end of the bolster. The wrapper bars 39 may be welded to the rocking arms 36 and extend upwardly substantially throughout the entire inner edge thereof. The upper end portions of the wrapper bars 39 are braced and held spaced apart by a plate 40 which is welded therebetween.

An opening is formed through the stationary hinge plate 38 and through each of the rocking arms 36, so disposed for axial alignment when the locking pin 34 is in container engaging position, as shown in FIG. 2. These openings receive a lock pin 41, which serves to hold the stop device in the position illustrated for securing the container. Sleeves 42 are mounted around the opening in each rocking arm 36 to increase the length of bearing surface of the lock pin.

With the parts locked in the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the container will be retained at each of its four corners in eHective supported engagement with the shelf plates 23 of the bolsters on which it rests, subject to some relative motion due to force of impact without imparting shear stresses to the hold-down pin 34. However, upon withdrawing the lock pin 41, the hold-down assembly can be moved from engagement with the container and dropped to its lowered position, permitting the container to be moved off the bolsters by the mechanism previously described. This hold-down device will be available for engagement with another container as soon as it is moved into place. It will be appreciated that a similar hold-down device will be provided at each opposite end of each bolster, or suitable hold-down means provided at each end thereof so as to hold the container in place on the vehicle.

While the form of hold-down and locking device shown in FIGS. and 11 can be used on a transport motor vehicle to secure the container in place thereon, we have shown a modified form thereof in FIGS. 12 and 13, which is somewhat simpler in construction and may be used also on a motor vehicle. In this form, a bottom hinge plate is illustrated at 50, secured to the bottom of the bolster such, for example, as that illustrated at 8. A movable hinge plate 51 is hinged to the plate 50 at 52, so as to swing vertically upward over the end of the bolster, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The upper end of the hinge plate 51 carries a hold-down pin 53 adapted to engage in the slot 33 provided on the container 1, as described above.

The hinge plate 51 is provided with ears 54 and 55 projecting laterally therefrom embracing a fixed car 56 secured rigidly to the bolster. The ears 54-56 have aligned openings therethrough in position for insertion of a lock pin 57, so as to lock the hinge plate 51 in its engaging position, as illustrated in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, the locking pin 57 extends vertically and may be inserted from the top when the container is in place and fastened.

Still another modification of the holddown device is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, shown as applied to an end of one of the bolsters such, for example, as the bolster 8. In this form, brackets 60 are secured rigidly to the underside of the bolster and have a hinge pin 61 extending therethrough. A movable hinge plate 62 is provided with depending segments 63 mounted on the hinge pin 61 and disposed so as to overlap the end of the bolster. The upper end of the plate 62 carries a hold down pin 64 in position to engage in the slot 33 provided in the corner casting of the container 1, as described above.

A lock pin 65 extends through aligned openings in brackets on the side of the hinge plate 62 and the bolster, so as to anchor the hold-down pin 6% in its set position, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The lock pin 65 is disposed vertically and may be withdrawn for releasing the container, as explained in connection, with the lock pins shown in FIGS. 2, 10 and 12.

The invention may be applied to a conventional railway car or road vehicle by mounting the bolsters transversely of the length of the frame thereof and spaced apart so as to be disposed in position to receive a container between a pair of bolsters. As noted above, one or more containers may be supported on each vehicle, with the containers extending lengthwise of the frame of the vehicle and supported between the shelf-like seats provided along the sides of the bolsters.

The self-like seats 23 extend from side to side of the vehicle, throughout the length of each bolster and are open and unobstructed at the opposite ends of each bolster. These seats permit the container to be shifted sideways out and off a pair of bolsters in bridging relation therebetween, as for example, by the mechanism set forth in the aforesaid patent application, Serial No. 255,481, which mechanism includes a shuttle device or carriage shiftable into engagement with the hook station bars 2 on the container at two points, preferably along the length of the container. This mechanism will slide the container transversely onto or off the vehicle between the respective bolsters.

When the container is thus moved into place on the vehicle, provision is made for coupling hold-down devices to the respective spaced portions of the container as, for

example, at the four corners thereof. Several forms of hold-down devices have been illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 15, any of which may be used as desired. It is recognized that stationary hold-down means may be provided at one side of the vehicle with which the container engages when moved into place. The detachable locking devices should be used at the side toward which the container is moved off the vehicle in any event, and if used at both sides the container can be moved out or olf either side. By locating the hold-down device so that it is mounted on the bolster beneath the latter, it may be moved entirely out of the path of the container and thereby will not interfere either with the close side-by-side disposition of the vehicles or with the movement of the container onto or off the vehicle. Nevertheless, when in place, the hold-down device will secure the container effectively.

With a side transfer operation as herein described, it is not necessary to break the train to effect the transfer. Railroad rules frequently prohibit workmen from crossing a coupled train due to a lack of safety to the man. However, with the hold-down means at the four corners of the container, and the pins disposed laterally of the vehicle, in the direction of the transfer, the container is simply withdrawn from the pin on the far side without any necessity of manually unlocking the container at that far side. Conversely, when the container is loaded onto the car, it slides along the seats on the bolsters automatically into engagement with the hold-down pins on the far side, and the only manual operation is to close the locks on the near side.

Both ends of each bolster are open and unobstructed, with the hold-down means mounted on the bolster beneath the end, to be turned up over the end to a locking position relative to the container.

The upturned lock device at the end of the bolster forms a back stop to stop the sliding of the end of the container transversely of the car, both locating the container and aligning the container parallel with the car for instant and proper engagement of the locking pins on the side adjacent the transfer vehicle.

The container is provided with receiving portions for the hold-down device, so disposed as not to project out of the confines of the container and to receive therein hold-down pins that are fixed on the devices. The lost motion between the hold-down pins and the receiving portions of the container will allow some longitudinal shifting of the container relative to the frame of the vehicle, without imparting shearing stresses to the pins. Thus, there will be no binding of the container nor disruption of the holding action of the means securing it in place.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certain embodiments, it is recognized that other variations and changes may be made therein, without departing from the invention, as set forth in the claims.

We claim:

1. A bolster for a freight transporting system, comprising an elongated member having a seat extending lengthwise substantially throughout the length thereof and open at the ends of the bolster adapted to receive a container in supported position on the seat, abutment means connected with the elongated member for maintaining the container on the seat, and a hold-down device for the container and mounted on the end of said bolster, said device comprising a plate extending edgewise of the bolster underneath said end portion and projecting outwardly at the end of the bolster, a member extending from a position beneath the bolster upwardly around the end of the bolster to a position above said end, said member having portions straddling the plate, a hinge pin extending through said portions of the member and through the plate at a point beneath the end of the bolster, a lock pin extending through the plate and said portions of the member, and means on the upper end of the member fixed rigidly thereto and movable into interengagement with the container upon raising movement of the member to hold the container on the seat.

2. A bolster for a freight transporting system, comprising an elongated member having a seat extending lengthwise substantially throughout the length thereof and open at the ends of the bolster adapted to receive a container in supported position on the seat, said member having an upstanding projection along one side of the seat, and a hold-down device for the container and mounted on the end of said bolster, said device comprising a plate extending edgewise of the bolster underneath said end portion and projecting outwardly at the end of the bolster, a latch member extending from a position beneath the bolster upwardly around the end of the bolster to a position above said end, said member having portions straddling the plate, a hinge pin extending through said portions of the member and through the plate at a point beneath the end of the bolster and hinging the latch member to the bolster plate, a bar extending transversely of the member portions at the upper end thereof and disposed in upstanding relation and fixed to said member, and a pin fixed to said bar and projecting lengthwise of the bolster in position for engagement with the container, and means for holding the latch member in position for engagement of the pin with the container.

3. A bolster for a freight transporting system comprising an elongated base plate, a pair of upright angle plates mounted on the base plate in side-by-side spaced relation and having inturned flanges joined together, side plates extending upwardly from the base plate and spaced outwardly from the respective angle plates, top plates extending laterally outwardly in opposite directions from the pair of angle plates intermediate the height thereof and over the adjacent side plate forming shelf-like supports for containers for supporting adjacent ends of the containers and with the angle plates projecting above the shelf-like supports forming shoulders facing the shelf-like supports, said shelf-like supports being open at opposite ends of the bolster for sliding movement of the container onto and off the shelf-like supports lengthwise thereof, and hold-down devices at the opposite ends of the shelflike supports and mounted on the bolster for movement to an upstanding position to confine the container thereon and to a retracted position out of the path of the container.

4. A bolster for a freight transporting system comprising a base plate, an upright angle plate fixed thereto and extending upwardly therefrom, a side plate extending upwardly from the base plate and spaced outwardly from the angle plate, and a top plate extending from the angle plate laterally over the side plate and projecting beyond the latter forming a shelf-like seat for a container, said angle plate extending upwardly from the top plate and forming an abutment shoulder facing the seat, said angle plate having a top edge portion turned away from the seat, and a plate joined to the out-turned edge portion and extending downwardly to the base plate, gussets spaced along the length of the top plate between the latter and the side plate bracing the top plate, and means forming angular deflection surfaces at the ends of the angle plate and top plate for diverting a container onto the shelf-like seat.

5. A bolster for a freight transporting system, comprising an elongated member having a seat extending lengthwise substantially throughout the length thereof and open at the ends of the bolster adapted to receive a container in supported position on the seat, and a hold-down device for the container and mounted on the end of said bolster, said device comprising a plate extending edgewise of the bolster underneath said end portion and projecting outwardly at the end of the bolster, a latch member extending from a position beneath the bolster upwardly around the end of the bolster to a position above said end, said member having portions straddling the plate, a hinge pin extending through said portions of the member and through the plate at a point beneath the end of the bolster and hinging the latch member to the bolster plate, a bar extending transversely of the member portions at the upper end thereof and disposed in upstanding relation and fixed to said member, and a pin fixed to said bar and projecting lengthwise of the bolster in position for engagement with the container, and means for holding the latch member in position for engagement of the pin with the container.

6. A bolster for a freight transporting system comprising an elongated bolster member provided with a top surface forming a seat extending lengthwise of the bolster member adapted to receive an end of a container having an opening in a side thereof and in supported position on the seat, said bolster seat being open at opposite ends for sliding movement of the container lengthwise of the seat onto and off the seat, and a hold-down device for the container at each end of the seat, said hold-down device including a pair of arms mounted on the outer end portion of the bolster adjacent the bottom thereof for movement to an upstanding position at the outer end of the seat and to a retracted position out of the path of the container in moving lengthwise of the bolster member onto and off the seat, means for locking said holddown device in said upstanding position, said device in said upstanding position including an upright plate extending transversely thereof in bridging relation between the arms and rigidly mounted thereon in position for lateral abutment against a side of the container in position on the seat, and a pin on said device extending inwardly from said plate rigidly fixed at one end to said plate and projecting laterally from the face thereof and lengthwise of the bolster member in said upstanding posi- 9 tion of the hold-down device in position for locking relation with the side opening of the container when said side is in abutting relation with the upright plate over a substantial area around the pin.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,615,532 1/1927 Baxter 296-35 Perin 105-466 Tantiinger 292256 Shaver et a1 105-366 Johansson 105366 Sherrie et a1. 105-366 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Examiner. 

1. A BOLSTER FOR A FREIGHT TRANSPORTING SYSTEM, COMPRISING AN ELONGATED MEMBER HAVING A SEAT EXTENDING LENGTHWISE SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH THEREOF AND OPEN AT THE ENDS OF THE BOLSTER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A CONTAINER IN SUPPORTED POSITION ON THE SEAT, ABUTMENT MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE ELONGATED MEMBER FOR MAINTAINING THE CONTAINER ON THE SEAT, AND A HOLD-DOWN DEVICE FOR THE CONTAINER AND MOUNTED ON THE END OF SAID BOLSTER, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A PLATE EXTENDING EDGEWISE OF THE BOLSTER UNDERNEATH SAID END PORTION AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY AT THE END OF THE BOLSTER, A MEMBER EXTENDING FROM A POSITION BENEATH THE BOLSTER UPWARDLY AROUND THE END OF THE BOLSTER TO A POSITION ABOVE SAID END, SAID MEMBER HAVING PORTIONS STRADDLING THE PLATE, A HINGE PIN EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PORTIONS OF THE MEMBER AND THROUGH THE PLATE AT A POINT BENEATH THE END OF THE BOLSTER, A LOCK PIN EXTENDING THROUGH THE PLATE AND SAID PORTIONS OF THE MEMBER, AND MEANS ON THE UPPER END OF THE MEMBER FIXED RIGIDLY THERETO AND MOVABLE INTO INTERENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONTAINER UPON RAISING MOVEMENT OF THE MEMBER TO HOLD THE CONTAINER ON THE SEAT. 